The San Francisco 49ers will make the 2023 playoffs with a quarterback who will no longer be a rookie in the postseason. A little over a year ago, Brock Purdy made his freshman Wild Card debut against the Seattle Seahawks and had just five regular seasons before that. Fast forward to today, Purdy has three playoff games and a full season as the starting quarterback.
“Something is a bit different, only last year I was still trying to somehow find my way,”Purdy said. “I was released at the end of the year, so every week I was still trying to play well, learn who I am as a quarterback and get more familiar with playing within the system. Those are all the things I had on the table last year and then I tried to win every week and finish this team”
Purdy’s three playoff games now serve as a good reminder of the intensity and emotion of postseason play.
“The first game was a little tight, just making every play, not trying to turn the ball over, but at the same time stopping plays, winning and doing what it takes to win “Purdy said. “Those were things I had to learn, and when you watch the film, you go back to the feeling of last year and the first playoff game”
This year, the 49ers are coming off a first-round sweep of the Green Bay Packers, a team that has won seven of its last nine games, including a big upset of the second-seeded Dallas Cowboys on Super Wild Card weekend.
In this second playoff game with Purdy, his teammates trust their quarterback more than ever. He is the only one of the eight quarterbacks left in the playoffs who was not a first-round pick.
“Goodness” is a savior of life. We went to the lottery, ” Tackle Trent Williams said. “As good a player as he is, he’s an even better guy. Heand is an even better person, a better teammate. I’m very proud of him and hope he continues on his path and shows people that draft status is what happens on draft day. What happens after that is up to you”
Practice Observations
Safety Logan Ryan (groin) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles tendonitis) returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday.
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead participated in a full team practice for the first time since the team’s Week 13 win against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell (knee) was the only 49ers player to miss practice with an injury.
Safety George Odum played his first practice in a blue, untouched jersey on Wednesday..
